Lauren: “I’ll marry Joey at the end of the year!”
Th reality star is said to be planning to wed on-off jailbird boyfriend Joey Morrison as soon as he is released from prison for good
After Closer reported that Lauren Goodger was planning to have a baby with on- off jailbird boyfriend Joey Morrison following his temporary release last week, insiders say she’s not ruling out a quickie marriage to the Essex criminal.
Sources report that although Joey – who was originally sentenced to 16 years for drugrelated offences in 2009 – is now back in prison after his release, he will be out properly at the end of the year, and Lauren’s already thinking about their nuptials.
AMAZING CONNECTION
Although the star – whose engagement to former TOWIE co-star Mark Wright ended in 2011 after a ten-year romance – is keeping her cards close to her chest, insiders say they believe she and Joey did spend quality time with each other last week.
A source reveals, “Lauren’s inner circle believe she met up with Joey last week, especially as she’s suddenly got a real spring in her step and can’t stop smiling. She won’t elaborate on what’s happened, but everyone thinks they’re clearly together. She’s started to talk again about getting married and says she thinks it will happen at the end of the year, which ties in to when Joey leaves prison for good.
“She says she’s always dreamed of her fairy-tale wedding and now she finally feels it’s going to happen. Lauren’s always spoken about her amazing connection with Joey and she thinks he’ll make a great husband and father.”
Before their split last year, Lauren took part in a wedding shoot for Closer and expressed her desire to marry Joey. She said, “I’m with Joey, so I love him very much and, when I’m with someone, then of course I think I’m going to marry them eventually. Otherwise, why be with someone if you can’t see yourself marrying them?!”
Lauren also spoke of her desperation to start a family with Joey, who is expected to be fully released around Christmas, saying, “I’d like it to happen. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I want a baby and the sooner the better.”
But in September last year, Lauren broke down in tears in a TV interview, after confirming she had split from Joey after 15 months together, revealing their relationship was “mentally draining”. She added, “He was supposed to come out, then he got sent back and it put a big strain on us. He wasn’t getting out for another year and I couldn’t wait no more. Me going out drinking and him inside, it put a strain on us.”
BACK ON TRACK
But insiders say that now size 10-12 Lauren has transformed her body after jetting off to Turkey for liposuction, working out three times a week with a personal trainer and adopting a juicing regime, she’s ready to get things back on track with Joey.
The source says, “Lauren’s done a massive U-turn in taking Joey back, but she feels they’ve never stopped loving each other. She feels stronger mentally and physically – and ready for a proper relationship. It’s still a bit of a shock that she’s thinking of a wedding this year, though!”
In the past few weeks, the 31-year-old star has been leaving clues they’re back together – she was snapped with a photo of Joey, 30, as her phone screensaver and recently sported a personalised “JOEY” number plate on her new Mercedes car.
Last week, Lauren posted a cryptic snap with a mystery man – believed to be Joey – whose face was hidden behind a sun emoticon on her Instagram page, after Joey’s sister Charlotte shared a couple of photos with her brother shopping in Milton Keynes during his release.
FAMILY’S APPROVAL
Just weeks before, it was revealed that Lauren has been in business with Joey for over a year. They both own 50 per cent of a company called LJM Management, and the new name has hinted that Joey could move into management when he gets out of prison.
The source says, “Joey’s
really close to his family and Lauren has stayed in touch with them throughout their on-off relationship. She really gets on with Charlotte and his family all think a lot of Lauren and would love for her to end up with Joey.”
Last week, Closer reported how Lauren wanted to make having a baby with Joey a priority. The source says, “Lauren’s planning the future for when Joey is out for good, and having a baby is still a priority. She’s head over heels in love and wants him to move into her flat as soon as he’s out of jail, then they can get on with marriage and baby plans. She doesn’t want to waste any more time. But Lauren’s friends are worried about her and still want her to take her time and date Joey properly in the real world before making any type of commitment.”